Capitol City Tarsonis has a very long and rich history.  In the almost mythical past, it was invaded by legendary aliens such as the Zerg and Protoss, but it's been centuries since anyone has seen either of those races and human civilization has flourished.  Not that alien contact ended when the Zerg and Protoss vanished.  Quite the opposite.  Aliens of all sorts abound, and lately, AI androids as well.  But it's understood that Tarsonis is human, so everyone abides by human morays.  Such as wearing clothes when in public.

It's a crisp New Year's Eve, year 2899, and the city is bustling with activity preparing for the New Century celebration.

Emerald is in a fantastic mood. With Christmas recently celebrated, one of her favorite human holidays, the fox was aglow with Christmas cheer. And now a new century on the horizon. She couldn't help but feel lucky to be born to see such a time. She is walking along the street, looking to find a shopping mall to get some gifts for friends and family. Granted, she's also enjoying the sights as she is new to this city.

  Despite the potential weather for this holiday season and previously mentioned clothing requirements for Society reasons, this fellow wears nothing but a Santa hat leftover from the recent holiday.

  Hey, you try wearing pants when you have no legs.  No body parts to speak of either outside a pair of arms and floating metal sphere.  But then, they didn't need legs to shake a bell in one hand and hold out 'place credits here' receptacle in the other a few days ago.

Jake is a young adult riding around in his sweet new ride: a light cycle!  That transforms!  He too is looking to get some shopping done, but at the moment is having a little too much fun with his new toy to focus much on where he's going.  Buuut traffic jam.

"Nuts," he says, looking for a way around the jam.

No good.  He dismounts and his ride transforms into a sleek robot and the two of them step onto the sidewalk.

"Guess we're hoofing it," Jake says.

"Fact: Snakes do not have hooves," the robot replies.

"Zewha?!" Jake double-takes at the statement, "Oh.  Right.  Very funny."

Emerald gets to the entrance and sees the orb. She smiles and waves. "Which charity is this for?" she inquires. And yes, she's wearing the Starcraft Ghost outfit. For a number of reasons. Reason 1: the tights portion is serving as a body glove, protecting her from the cold weather. Reason 2: She is prepared in case stuff goes south.

  "All electronic transfers to Officially Recognized Charities are open to contributions via the OmniBeggar.  However, this year's bid for physical credits rights was won by the 'Sad Puppies By Scenic View Foundation'.  Happy New Year, for a separate donation of five credits, the Bell is not rung for a half hour.  3.00021 minutes remain until Bell is run again."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:08, Wed 30 Nov 2011.

Jake snirks at ORB's reply and donates a credit.  "Here's hoping things improve for those puppies.  Nice suit, there, miss.  Love the retro look."

Emerald looks up at Jake with a bright smile. "Thanks." she examines Jake briefly, soon after examining the sleek robot.

Emerald then looks at the orb and contributes a cred. "I hope you have a happy new year also." she says to orb. She then heads on in to the shopping mall.

  ORB swivel nods to Jake, "Thank you, and Happy New Year."  They start floating for the mall.  Less for shopping, more to drop off his charity begothon gear.  On the way there, bell ringing recommences.  Yes, the terror of a relentless unstopping untiring machine focused into the seasonal annoyance.

Jake notices Emerald is headed in the direction of his intended chore and heads that way as well.

"Going my way, I see," he says, "You Holiday shopping too?"

ORB isn't staying put?  Jake is now beginning to wonder if the 5 creds for no ringing is a form of extortion.

"Uh...  How long does the ringing last?"

Emerald hmms? She isn't bothered by the bell... not yet anyway. "Just shopping for some New Years stuff, so yes." She certainly isn't accustomed to bell ringers following people into the shop. She idly begins pondering the philosophical questions of robot emotions and if robots, while tireless, ever tire of constant sounds.

  "Traditionally, the ringing does not stop ever, and asking people to do so was considered mean spirited and oversensitive.  The 5 credit silence donation is a recent option implemented after a public vote where the sole sentient voting against was *redacted for legal reasons* by the public.  Despite this however, Only ten credits have thus far been made across the entire month. Unofficially, I'm quitting for the day so you would only get a few microcredits worth out of such an investment at this point."

  It's amazing how much mileage you can get out of this one off joke.

"Perfectly executed ring, none the less," Jake's robot compliments.  He can appreciate these sorts of things.

"Fascinating," Jake comments before looking back at Emerald, "Name's Jake.  This here's Robbie."

Robbie gives a fancy bow.

Emerald says, "I'm Emerald. Nice t'meetchya, Jake and Robbie." she looks at Orb. "Since you're taking a break, maybe you'd like to join us?" her tail swishes slowly.

  "Thank you Robbie, using sound synthesizers would be considered cheating.  I am ORB, naming is not my manufacturer's strong point."   Also because LORB (Lab Operations Robot Backup) sounds incredibly silly.

  "I shall take you up on your offer Emerald."  This said, ORB drops off his charity gear at the appropriate desk.  He keeps the hat, that's his.

"Robbie has taken to assigning himself nicknames," Robbie suggests, "Today's nickname is VIPER!  Taken from the model of light cycle I can now change into."

"Hence his earlier joke about snakes not having hooves," Jake mentions idly, "Nice to meetcha too, Emerald.  Where ya from?"

Emerald is confused what hooves have to do with snakes at all. She decides it best not to ask. "I'm from the Howrundus Settlement on Planet Source. You?" She considers picking up some yuletide things while she's here since it's all on clearance now.

  Holiday candy!  Just as delicious the day after as the week before!  And when it's not Halloween, there is actually some left in stores.

  "I wonder what the average duration of such nicknames is. What was your previous knickname then?"  In Saints Row The Third, your Lightcycle is named the X-2 Phantom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdRFAbesXDQ

"Hammerhead," Robbie answers proudly.

"Mar Sara," he says, "The Junkpile to be more specific.  Took the first opportunity to get off that rust bucket.  Can't say I know much about Source.  You like it here?  Been here long?"

Emerald nods. "Tarsonis is living up to its name, as is its capitol city." she then holds up one of her bracers and taps on it to bring up a hologram of her home planet. On the surface, it's just another Earth-type planet with white clouds, blue oceans, and greenish land. "This is Source. Not terribly different in composition from the worlds your people like to populate."

She looks over at Orb and Robbie. About then, she arrives at the section of the store she was headed; electronics. She goes to browse the monitors, which are of course, simply objects the size of a fist with coin-sized lenses that project holograms. And even then, they are only THAT large for two reasons: 1) So people can actually pick them up. 2) So they can handle power and the various other functions involved.

  "Hammerhead, Good name, bad implications for your frontal optics."  Yes, lack of physical displays meant widescreen view was only an issue of having enough space for the view to not clip through your furniture.

  Let's hope they didn't suffer 'you can tell its a hologram because it's transparent and worse image quality than the movie you are watching' in production.

Robbie's face lights up to indicate a grin.  So many Transformers could have been spared a mouth implant if only they instead had been given some kind of expression display... http://images.wikia.com/disney/images/b/b0/EVE.jpg

"Thank you."

Jake huhs at the image of Source.  "Looks like a nice place.  Why'd you leave?"

He looks at Emerald's tech browsing, and points one out.

"Best bang for your buck there.  Cheaper, less performance than competition out of the box, but an affordable upgrade brings it up to par and you've still saved 20%.  Of course, cheaper still if you get it from Wholesale Monitor Warehouse, but eh, difference in price likely isn't worth the extra trip.  At least that was the case last time I checked."

Emerald says, "I'm exploring a bit. I haven't left home forever and I return there at least once a month when I get slightly homesick. Granted, it's getting easier to call my ship home anymore..." She looks the tech over and says, "Thanks, Jake. Saved me not only some money, but some time." she then heads for the headphone area. "How about you? Why'd YOU leave?"

  Orb could do like the image link suggests...  But they just like the single glowing blue dot style.  Junker off in certain boards meanwhile, has Equalizer lines in his mouth grill purely to make the Animators days harder.

  "I would assume Jake left because of tetanus risk.  Unless they meant rust bucket not in a literal sense."

Jake snirks from ORB's comment.  "Yeah quite literally a rusty place.  Good source of iron for the rest of the planets, source of pollution induced cancer for those who live there.  Unhealthy, unsafe, lacking in higher education... the list goes on.  If ever I get homesick, all I have to do is inhale some exhaust.  You're welcome, Emerald.  Tech is my passion, so I keep on top of these things."

"Jake is my passion," Robbie adds, making Jake blush.

Jake points at a set of headphones.

"I'd avoid that one.  The rest are about same-ish in performance and cost and can be selected on style alone.  Glad you chose here to explore.  Lots of neat stuff to look into.  Anything in particular you enjoy the most?"

Emerald checks the stats on the back of the packaging for several. "You still make it sound like it was *your* choice, Jake. So it wasn't because your parents wanted to move?" she asks without looking directly at him. She picks a pair of headphones and watches to see what Jake is after.

  Orb's Orphan Alert sensor has been on the fritz lately, so they can't make an educated guess preemptively in that regard.

  "Just so long as you don't end up like the Maximilian series, Viper.  Of course, the Black hole ate the evidence but even a gravitational field strong enough to distort light doesn't stop rumor."

"While it was my choice," Jake answers curiously, "my parents made it possible by saving up the funds needed to buy me transport.  Full academic scholarships don't include travel costs apparently.  Well now that I've graduated, I'm working toward saving up to get them out of there too.  Why do you ask?"

Robbie giggles and nods to ORB.

"Yes.  Is ORB owned or independent?"

Emerald hms. Not TERRIBLY uncommon for kids to be sent out by not-so-well-to-do parents for a "better life", but... "Just checking you weren't an orphan or anything." she smiles.

  "I guess I am not Owned or Independent any more than Jake is either in regards to his parents?  At least in the practical sense.  Paperwork wise it would be Independent."

  Professor Crazepents brought you into this world Orb, this doesn't keep them from making you pay your own bills.

Jake ohs.  "No not yet.  But I worry, ya know?  Mar Sara's dangerous for more than just the pollution.  Thanks for asking.  Appreciate the concern.  I'll return the favor and ask if you have troubles of your own."

Robbie nods.  "Robbie is owned by Jake on paper, but only because Robbie chooses this option.  If someone were to harm Robbie, that would be destruction of property, not just 'disturbing the peace.'  If you chose to be owned on paper to have more legal protection, Jake would give you the papers and you could change your mind at any time."

Emerald glances at Robbie. "...heh. May work for you, but I prefer not to belong to anyone, even on paper. Too many opportunities for the "owner" to take advantage..." she then looks back at Jake. "Problems? Heh... nah. I'm fine."

  "I believe I shall pass on your benevolently intended offer.  I am sure the authorities would be more concerned with the means used to harm me than said harm, but that alone is enough to ensure they take action."

  Of course, if Military hardware was being aimed at Orb, he had bigger problems then.

Jake huhs at Emerald's take on being owned.

"That the voice of experience talking?  I realize slavery of biologicals exists, but not legally.  At least so I thought."

Robbie nods at Emmy and ORB.  "Robbie understands."

Emerald says, "I'd rather not talk about it. Now then. What were you looking to pick up here at the mall, Jake?"

  "How did we go from critiques of entertainment products to slavery?  How many degrees is it to reach Kevin Bacon from here?"  Both good questio-... Wait, that second one is more nonsensical.

Jake laces his fingers behind his head and blows up on his hair.

"Well I've got a couple of gift cards to use up, a return to make, and New Years Party stuff to pick up.  Mostly vague 'cause I dunno what I wunna get.  Kinda why I wanted your company.  I find inspiration in others."

"Zero," Robbie answers, "You just made the connection.  You win... a laser!"

Robbie offers ORB a pen laser.

Emerald says, "For New Years... best is to grab snacks; Like chips, cookies, soda..." she heads for the snack isle. She glances at Orb. "I'd have to know who or what Kevin Bacon is before I could answer properly."

  Orb accepts, "Thank you Robbie, I shall add it to the laser pile."   Perhaps later, Orb shall look into 'Six Degrees To Kevin Bacon' links between Slavery and Kevin Bacon in his spare time.

  "Highly obsolete Meme, people still reference many things from their far past that have no relevance today."  Southern Accents, country music, and rednecks causing roadkill in their pickup truck for example.  Even if the roadkill is zerglings.

"Sounds good," Jake says, following Emerald to the snack isle, "So what is it you enjoy doing?"

"It is a game to connect a topic to a long-ago thespian," Robbie explains.

Emerald huhs at Orb. "I always find it fascinating when ancient expressions or fads can still be referenced. A lot of people take such things for granted..."

She then says, "I enjoy singing. And ancient history." as she browses the snacks. "Yourself?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Thu 01 Dec 2011.

  "Nothing so focused in my interests yet to be considered a Hobby.  For the most part it is just day to day existence.  Fortunately, boredom is optional." You can turn that right off as a robot.   Pay no attention to the implications a 'laser pile' would have.

"Robotics mainly," Jake answers, "Ancient history and singing you say?  That's... an interesting mix.  Ever write any songs about ancient history?  I know an oldie called 'Shotgun, Zerg, and You.'"

"Ever consider upgrading as a hobby?" Robbie asks, "Extra appendages can be fun!"

Multiple arms extend out of several panels and snap at the air at various intervals that make for a strange but technically musical beat.

Emerald knows Robbie was asking Orb, but she answers Robbie for the fun of it. "I've considered extra appendages as much as the next person, I suppose."

She nods to Jake. "Here's one for you:"

"Taking shelter by the standing stones
Miles from all that moves
Breathing solitude, seeking confidence
A gift to me
Feeling spirits never far removed
Passing over me and I greet them with open arms

"Reading passages of ancient rhyme
Cut so deep so old
Telling tales of travellers and mystery
Hearing spirits never far removed
Call out aloud
When the time comes they'll talk to me

"Hand fighting Hand
As you turn to a man of two worlds.
Taobh ri taobh tha sinn mar aon de dha shaobhail
Do lambh nam lambh gabhal aithne air leim a ghablh

"Feel a presence moving into me
Painting pictures with fast words
Seeing places that I've never seen
Like a door thrown open on a life I've lived before

"Taobh ri taobh tha sinn mar aon de dha shaobhail
Do lambh nam lambh gabhal aithne air leim a ghablh
Mar e shealbhaichis mi an tiodhlac seo ahonisa
S mo lambh n'ad lambh smuainich air na tireauu ceinne
S mi deaunabh gardochas da raire..."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Thu 01 Dec 2011.

  "No legs means I can not trip over things.  I already posses four hundred percent more manipulation limbs than my origional design, though you clearly have the advantage in swiss-army tech categories."

  Then it's song time.  Which lasts longer than it takes to read i-how do I pronounce this -.o  Uh, We'll get back to you on if reading or listening would take longer.

  "So, you enjoy a professional career in singing?"

Jake and Robbie both laugh at Emerald's tease.

"Nice song!" Jake says, "Lovely voice!  You should go pro!  You study much on Protoss history and relics?  I've learned that a lot of modern tech is based on what was salvaged from them."

"But without legs, you can't run, or walk," Robbie points out, "Hovering is fun, but so is breakdancing!"

He begins to demonstrate.

Emerald says, "Thanks for the compliments. Sadly, I'm not a pro yet. And yes, I've studied quite a bit on the subject. I've had the privilage of looking at some ancient Xel'Naga tech up close and personal..." she watches Robbie break dance and claps for him.

  "So long as duplicate research into 'life that will destroy you all, then go on to devastate other civilizations' is not done, looking into the Xel'Naga's own works should be beneficial."  It's always the 'lesser' races that have to clean up after what destroyed the 'super advanced' ones usually.

  "Alas, some sacrifices must be made for the life of a hovering robot.  Walking looks fine, but legs dangle so pointlessly with flight assist." Nevermind what limbs Orb does have are retractable.

"That sounds like fun!" Jake says enthusiastically to Emerald's studying Xel'Naga, "Anything lined up in the near future?  If not, I've got a few ideas you might be interested in."

Robbie nods at ORB.  "ORB sounds like he knows more about these things than most organics much less uneducated robots."